1985–1990 De Tomaso Pantera GT5-S Specs & Performance

The Pantera GT5-S pushed De Tomaso’s mid-engine formula toward a much wider and more aggressive interpretation of the original concept. Its heavily flared body, broad stance and oversized wheels gave the car a distinctly muscular presence, while the Ford-derived V8 behind the cabin supplied the soundtrack to match. Rather than chasing refinement, the GT5-S embraced the raw character of a low-volume Italian-American supercar.

Built from 1985–1990, it paired that dramatic appearance with a 5.8-liter V8 producing 345 hp and a five-speed manual transmission. The rear-wheel-drive layout kept the driver closely connected to the engine’s considerable output, while the low-slung two-seat cabin reinforced its focused character. With a factory-claimed 174-mph top speed, the GT5-S had the performance to match its extravagant proportions. It remains one of the most visually imposing versions of the Pantera, representing the model at its widest and most flamboyant before De Tomaso moved toward the later, more modernized Pantera designs.